First Grade Math

The first grade math curriculum includes a variety of hands-on experiences designed to solidify the students' understanding of concepts. It is important that first graders develop number sense and confidence in the area of mathematics. Math manipulatives provide a concrete model of skills. The Everyday Mathematics program provides a framework for the curriculum, but this program is supplemented with a wide variety of activities. Use of Marcy Cook materials encourages students to become "math thinkers" and helps them to better understand both abstract and concrete math concepts. Calendar math is a part of our daily Math Meeting. Patterns, counting, money, time, temperature, and many other skills and strategies are taught during this time. Later in the year, Math groups involving all first grade students will be used to reinforce skills presented in math class and also expose the students to a wide range of new math concepts.

First Grade Everyday Mathematics Content

First Grade Everyday Mathematics emphasizes the following content:

*Numeration Counting, reading and writing numbers, investigating place value of whole numbers, exploring fractions and money.

*Operations and Computation Learning addition and subtraction facts, fact families, and extended facts, beginning informal work with properties of numbers and problem solving.

*Data and Chance Collecting, organizing, and displaying data using tables, charts, and graphs.

*Geometry Exploring 2- and 3- dimensional shapes.

*Measurement and Reference Frames Using tools to measure length, capacity (quarts, liters), and weight; using clocks, calendars, timelines, thermometers, and ordinal numbers.

*Patterns, Functions, and Algebra Exploring attributes, patterns, sequences, relations, and functions; finding missing numbers and rules in Frames-and-Arrows and "What's My Rule?" problems, studying properties of operations.

~Information taken from Everyday Mathematics First Grade Parent Letter

Introduction to First Grade Everyday Mathematics

Welcome to First Grade Everyday Mathematics. It is part of an elementary school mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago School Mathematics Project (UCSMP). Everyday Mathematics offers children a broad background in mathematics. Several features of the program are described below to help familiarize you with the structure and expectations of Everyday Mathematics.

A problem-solving approach based on everyday situations. By making connections between their own knowledge and their experiences in school and outside of school, children learn basic skills in meaningful contexts so that mathematics becomes "real".
Frequent practice of basic skills. Instead of practice presented in a single, tedious drill format, children practice basic skills in a variety of ways. In addition to completing daily mixed review pages, patterning on the number grid, and working with addition and subtraction fact families in differnt formats, children will play games that are specifically designed to develop basic skills.
An instructional approach that revisits concepts regularly. To enhance the development of basic skills and concepts, children regularly revisit previously learned concepts and repeatedly practice skills encountered earlier. The lessons are designed to take advantage of previously learned concepts and skills and to build on them throughout the year instead of treating them as isolated bits of knowledge.
A curriculum that explores mathematical content beyond basic arithmetic. Mathematics standards in the United States, as well as around the world, indicate that basic arithmetic skills are only the beginning of the mathematical knowledge children will need as they develop critical thinking skills. In addition to basic arithmetic, Everyday Mathematics develops concepts and skills in the following topics ~ numeration, operation and computation, data and chance, geometry, measurement and reference frames, and patterns, functions, and algebra.

~Information taken from Everyday Mathematics First Grade Parent Letter